Coral ReefsCoral Reefs

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Understanding CoralUnderstanding Coral What is coral. . .

Here you see the jelly-like polyps

• Corals eat at night

Tentacles around mouth capture plankton

What is coral. . .

Here you see the jelly-like polyps

• Corals eat at night

Tentacles around mouth capture plankton

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Understanding CoralUnderstanding Coral How do coral reefs form?

Reefs are the oldest, most productive, diverse ecosystems in the sea Modern reefs less than 18,000 years old

* Reefs are built by corals

How do coral reefs form?

Reefs are the oldest, most productive, diverse ecosystems in the sea Modern reefs less than 18,000 years old

* Reefs are built by corals

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Importance of Coral ReefsImportance of Coral Reefs Why are coral reefs important?

Coral reefs are: Less than 1% of the

sea bottom Nursery grounds to

25% of marine species Home to nearly 33% of

all fish species

Why are coral reefs important?

Coral reefs are: Less than 1% of the

sea bottom Nursery grounds to

25% of marine species Home to nearly 33% of

all fish species

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Importance of Coral ReefsImportance of Coral Reefs What benefits do coral reefs provide to

islands, coastal areas and tourism?

Act as barriers for 1/6 of world’s coastlines

Protects islands

Each square metre/yard guards $47,000 (US) in property value

What benefits do coral reefs provide to islands, coastal areas and tourism?

Act as barriers for 1/6 of world’s coastlines

Protects islands

Each square metre/yard guards $47,000 (US) in property value

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Importance of Coral ReefsImportance of Coral Reefs Did you know corals are used in

medical research?

- Produce biomedical compounds

- Used for bone replacement

- More to bediscovered

Did you know corals are used in medical research?

- Produce biomedical compounds

- Used for bone replacement

- More to bediscovered

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Coral Reefs in DangerCoral Reefs in Danger What is the worldwide status of coral

reefs and estimated loss?

1992: 10% degraded beyond recovery

2000: 25% are dead Most reefs are in

jeopardy within 30 - 50 years

According to the World Resource Institute, 58% of remaining reefs are at risk of destruction

What is the worldwide status of coral reefs and estimated loss?

1992: 10% degraded beyond recovery

2000: 25% are dead Most reefs are in

jeopardy within 30 - 50 years

According to the World Resource Institute, 58% of remaining reefs are at risk of destruction

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Coral Reefs in DangerCoral Reefs in Danger What land-based activities are

dangerous to coral reefs? Poor land use that

causes erosion

Agriculture and sewage discharge

Nonpoint source pollution carrying dissolved substances

What land-based activities are dangerous to coral reefs? Poor land use that

causes erosion

Agriculture and sewage discharge

Nonpoint source pollution carrying dissolved substances

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Coral Reefs in DangerCoral Reefs in Danger Dangerous land-based activities . . .

Coastal development and habitat destruction

Tourism that damages coastal habitatsand dumps wastes

Dangerous land-based activities . . . Coastal development and

habitat destruction

Tourism that damages coastal habitatsand dumps wastes

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Coral Reefs in DangerCoral Reefs in Danger What ocean-based activities are

dangerous to coral reefs?

Overfishing

Collision and anchor damage

Coral collecting

What ocean-based activities are dangerous to coral reefs?

Overfishing

Collision and anchor damage

Coral collecting

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Protect the Living ReefProtect the Living Reef Promote conservation . . .

Do not overfish

Further your education

Volunteer to help keeping the island

clean

Promote conservation . . .

Do not overfish

Further your education

Volunteer to help keeping the island

clean